MAKING ONLINE BANKING SAFE AND SECUREWhen you travel the Internet to access online Banking, you want to be assured, first and foremost, that effective safeguards are in place to make your visit safe, secure, and reliable. When you use online banking to visit us, whether it's to learn about rates, to review your accounts or to pay your bills, you are entering a secure area. Security measures we take include one or more of the following:

Password Protection & PinYour password and PIN (personal identification number) are the first line of defense and are your unique identifier. Be sure not to share them with anyone—most frauds involving hijacked accounts originate with someone the victim knows.

Multi-Factor AuthenticationThis form of identity verification provides added security by requiring multiple forms of identification, such as something you know (password or PIN) and something you have (ATM Card and Smart Card).

EncryptionOnce online with us, your transaction and personal information are secured by encryption software that converts the information into code that is readable by only you and the bank.

Privacy PoliciesSecurity State Bank of Kenyon's privacy policy protecting your personal information is stringent. Your confidential information is treated with the utmost care, meeting or exceeding federal and state mandates.

Whether you are conducting online financial transactions over the Internet or simply "surfing" some easily implemented precautions can help safeguard your personal information from identity theft and account fraud:

PasswordsSecurity begins with a strong password, which only you, the user, knows. Experts advise a combination of letters, numbers, and unique characters and advise against using easily guessed passwords such as names, birthdays or home addresses.

Anti-Virus ProtectionMake sure the anti-virus software on your computer is current and scans your email as it is received. This simple step is critical to your personal safety and security when online.

Email CommunicationEmail is generally not encrypted to be wary of sending any sensitive information such as account numbers or other personal information in this way. If you receive an unscheduled or unsolicited email purporting to be from Security State Bank of Kenyon, be cautious, and make sure it was sent from the bank. Security State Bank of Kenyon will never contact you by e-mail to request or confirm any type of sensitive information.

Signing OffAlways log off by following the bank’s secured area exit procedures to ensure the protection of your personal information.

Be AwareCrooks are trying to get your personal information—and they employ some ingenious methods. Don’t respond to any unusual request for personal information—when you opened your account with us, you already provided it. When in doubt, call the bank.

IDENTIFING THE MOST COMMON ONLINE THREATSUnderstanding what criminals are trying to do over the Internet is the first step in building a good defense.

PhishingFraudulent emails purporting to be from your bank or a similar trusted source lures you to a copy cat website (one that may look just like your bank’s site). Once there you are instructed to "verify" certain personal information, which is then used to hijack your accounts and your identity. If you receive a suspicious email, delete the message and call your bank to inform them of the email.

PharmingAlso called "domain spoofing," this cyber crime intercepts Internet traffic and re-routes it to a fraudulent site. Once there, the victim is asked to enter personal information, just as with Phishing.

MalwareThis is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner’s knowledge. Examples of malware (malicious software) include computer viruses, worms, Trojan horses, spyware and adware.